The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Rob Katz]

damn wtf... i really wanted to 3 that first lower grinder lip in the pic when the grass patch forms behind it

 

[Lotso]

Tomorrow rain will be a killer

 

[1dog]

Smooth and creamy today- Rip and Steins as good as it gets (10-1 anyway).


Crowds were AWFUL - just don't know where they were?

 

[Hawk]

I opted to ride bikes and order cabinety for the new Kitchen. I'm sure it was good.

 

[HowieT2]

I was intending on getting a few last days in at the bush this weekend but an opportunity arose to ski tucks friday. Had never been before. It was great. Bucket list. Snow was slushy corn. Made for a fun run down. To top off a great day, at the hojo’s rest stop on the way back 3 guys hiked in some car batteries and a panini press to make grilled cheese for everyone. Can’t think of a better way to cap off the season.

 

[urungus]

I was intending on getting a few last days in at the bush this weekend but an opportunity arose to ski tucks friday. Had never been before. It was great. Bucket list. Snow was slushy corn. Made for a fun run down. To top off a great day, at the hojo’s rest stop on the way back 3 guys hiked in some car batteries and a panini press to make grilled cheese for everyone. Can’t think of a better way to cap off the season.

Hey congratulations Tucks is a real rite of passage. (Never done it myself and doubt I’ll ever be in good enough shape to make the hike up.)

 

[mikec142]

For this coming weekend, is it just going to be Steins to Coffee Run? Or will they push enough snow around to make trails like Upper Snowball to Spring Fling skiable?

 

[tumbler]

From the marketing email I got I think it's only Steins to Coffee Run.

 

[VTSkiBike]

Bump runs on Steins on Saturday and Waterbury Gravel Grinder on Sunday. Gonna be a fun weekend.

 

[cdskier]

For this coming weekend, is it just going to be Steins to Coffee Run? Or will they push enough snow around to make trails like Upper Snowball to Spring Fling skiable?

Difficult to say...from the webcam it looks like Spring Fling has enough snow to push around and open. Can't see Snowball though which is the trickier part as that gets more direct sun. There have been other years where I thought it looked worse at this point and yet they managed to get the Snowball/Spring Fling route open for closing weekend, so you never know.

 

[Hawk]

Bump runs on Steins on Saturday and Waterbury Gravel Grinder on Sunday. Gonna be a fun weekend.

Personally I am very disapointed with this spring. I will be skiing but I am breaking a long standing tradition. I DO NOT end the season skiing in the rain. This year I guess I have no choice as I have skied in the rain the last 4 weekends and this one is no different.

Also with the forecast I hope you have mud guards on your gravel bike. There will be off and on rain from Friday through Sunday. No thanks. I am gong to head South and ride because there is a better chance of sun.

 

[VTSkiBike]

Personally I am very disapointed with this spring. I will be skiing but I am breaking a long standing tradition. I DO NOT end the season skiing in the rain. This year I guess I have no choice as I have skied in the rain the last 4 weekends and this one is no different.

Also with the forecast I hope you have mud guards on your gravel bike. There will be off and on rain from Friday through Sunday. No thanks. I am gong to head South and ride because there is a better chance of sun.

I rode 40 miles in the rain last Saturday at the Muddy Onion in Montpelier and had a blast. Sun all week and a bit of rain Friday and Saturday will still make for a firm roads and nice ride on Sunday. Gotta be a little tougher than your average bear to be a 4 season rider in Vermont.

 

[Hawk]

I've skied and rode bikes in the rain for 30 years now. I am so DONE with that. Good luck though. I guess a day on the bike is better than sitting inside......unless there are projects to tackle. Projects can be fun also. I am building an outdoor cedar shower so ride and then work Sunday.

 

[HowieT2]

I've skied and rode bikes in the rain for 30 years now. I am so DONE with that. Good luck though. I guess a day on the bike is better than sitting inside......unless there are projects to tackle. Projects can be fun also. I am building an outdoor cedar shower so ride and then work Sunday.

I have an outdoor shower at my house and its the best thing ever. Wife and I use it exclusively from May through October.
I am also done riding in the rain. Maybe its ok on paved or gravel roads but on trails the roots rocks and wood bridges get crazy slick. a few years ago i slid on a tiny wood bridge. Bike came out from under me. luckily there was a rock to break my fall and only broke 1 rib.

 

[Hawk]

I hear you Howie. I did the same thing on my 50th Birthday. Only I collapsed a lung and had I nice week long stay at the local hospital. The shower will be nice after a long ride or yard work. It was really pushed from my significant other. I am sure you know what I mean. ;-)

 

[mikec142]

Difficult to say...from the webcam it looks like Spring Fling has enough snow to push around and open. Can't see Snowball though which is the trickier part as that gets more direct sun. There have been other years where I thought it looked worse at this point and yet they managed to get the Snowball/Spring Fling route open for closing weekend, so you never know.

They posted on their IG story that uphill travel on SF/SB will be closed today due to winch cat grooming. I don't know why those trails would be close if they were winch cat grooming Steins. But I also don't know why they need to winch SB/SF as opposed to a regular groom. Do they need they winch to push/pull enough snow?

 

[mikec142]

FWIW, according to their IG, skiing this weekend is free to all. You just have to get your free ticket online. I think it's a nice idea. I know that it's pretty much the die hards at this point who already have a pass, but it's nice for the locals. Hopefully they sell a lot of beer and burgers as well.

 

[cdskier]

They posted on their IG story that uphill travel on SF/SB will be closed today due to winch cat grooming. I don't know why those trails would be close if they were winch cat grooming Steins. But I also don't know why they need to winch SB/SF as opposed to a regular groom. Do they need they winch to push/pull enough snow?

They regularly use winching in the spring even on trails you would not typically winch in the winter. The wetter snow this time of year is harder for the cats to maneuver in. Winching helps a lot with moving snow and grooming this time of year.

On the other hand, even if they were just winching Steins it isn't out of the realm of possibility for them to not want anyone on that side of the mountain at all. People going to the top of Snowball would be closer to the winch anchor point on Steins than I'm sure they would like. And you could end up with some curious/stupid people who go even closer to Steins while they're winching if you allow people on that side of the hill.

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

What do folks expect to be open on Sat?

 

[cdskier]

I'd expect 2 routes...Steins/Coffee Run and Snowball/Spring Fling. SB/SF will have some narrow spots/sections.

Like Hawk, very disappointed in this spring. Unlike Hawk, I already called it quits.